SIDE-BY-SIDE HARDWARE MATRIX
Nikon D800 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Direct specification breakdown comparing Nikon's 36.3MP Nikon F-mount body against Canon's 22.3MP Canon EF-mount body.
ACTIVE MATCHUP
Technical Spec Matrix
Green indicators highlight objective numerical advantages.
✓ Smart Win Highlighting Active
Nikon D800 Advantages1 Spec Wins
- ✓Higher Sensor Resolution (36.3MP vs 22.3MP)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Advantages6 Spec Wins
- ✓More Phase-Detect AF Points (61pts vs 51pts)
- ✓Faster Continuous Burst (6fps vs 4fps)
- ✓Faster Mechanical Shutter (6fps vs 4fps)
- ✓Faster Electronic Shutter (6fps vs 4fps)
- ✓Longer CIPA Battery Endurance (950shots vs 900shots)
- ✓Lighter Body (950g vs 1000g)
01
Sensor & Image Quality
Effective megapixel count, sensor readout architecture, and lens mount
Effective Sensor Resolution
Nikon D80036.3 MP
✓ +14 MPCanon EOS 5D Mark III22.3 MP
Sensor Architecture & Type
Nikon D800Full Frame FX CMOS
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIFull Frame CMOS
Physical Sensor Dimensions
Nikon D80035.9 × 24.0 mm
Canon EOS 5D Mark III36.0 × 24.0 mm
Aspect Ratios
Nikon D8003:2 (Native), 4:3, 16:9, 1:1
Canon EOS 5D Mark III3:2 (Native), 4:3, 16:9, 1:1
Native Lens Mount
Nikon D800Nikon F
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIICanon EF
Image Processor
Nikon D800EXPEED 3
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIDIGIC 5+
02
Autofocus & Shooting Speed
Phase-detect AF points, neural subject tracking, burst speeds, and IBIS stops
Autofocus System
Nikon D80051-Point Multi-CAM 3500FX AF
Canon EOS 5D Mark III61-Point High Density Reticular AF
Phase-Detect AF Points / Zones
Nikon D80051 points
Canon EOS 5D Mark III61 points
✓ +10 ptsAI Subject Detection
Nikon D800Deep Learning Subject Recognition (Human, Animals, Vehicles, Aircraft)
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIDeep Learning Subject Recognition (Human, Animals, Vehicles, Aircraft)
Max Continuous Burst Speed
Nikon D8004 fps
Canon EOS 5D Mark III6 fps
✓ +2 fpsMechanical Shutter Burst
Nikon D8004 fps
Canon EOS 5D Mark III6 fps
✓ +2 fpsElectronic Shutter Burst
Nikon D8004 fps
Canon EOS 5D Mark III6 fps
✓ +2 fpsMaximum Shutter Speed
Nikon D8001/8000s (Mechanical) / 1/32000s (Electronic)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1/8000s (Mechanical) / 1/32000s (Electronic)
In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS)
Nikon D800No Internal IBIS
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIINo Internal IBIS
03
Video Capabilities
Maximum recording resolution, frame rate capabilities, internal bit depth, and I/O
Max Video Resolution
Nikon D8001080p30 FHD
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1080p30 ALL-I
Supported Frame Rates
Nikon D8001080p30 FHD at maximum sustained frame rate
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1080p30 ALL-I at maximum sustained frame rate
Color Bit Depth & Sampling
Nikon D8008-bit 4:2:2 Uncompressed HDMI
Canon EOS 5D Mark III8-bit 4:2:0 H.264
Log Gamma & Cinema Profiles
Nikon D800Full Cinema Log Profile Suite
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIFull Cinema Log Profile Suite
Audio & HDMI I/O
Nikon D8003.5mm Stereo Microphone, 3.5mm Headphone Monitor, Clean HDMI Output
Canon EOS 5D Mark III3.5mm Stereo Microphone, 3.5mm Headphone Monitor, Clean HDMI Output
04
Hardware, Ergonomics & Pricing
Memory card slots, EVF optics, CIPA battery rating, weight, dimensions, and price
Memory Card Slots
Nikon D8001x CompactFlash + 1x SD UHS-I
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1x CompactFlash + 1x SD UHS-I
Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)
Nikon D800Optical Viewfinder (100% coverage)
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIOptical Viewfinder (100% coverage)
Battery Life (CIPA Rated)
Nikon D800900 shots
Canon EOS 5D Mark III950 shots
✓ +50 shotsBody Weight (with Battery & Card)
Nikon D8001000 g
Canon EOS 5D Mark III950 g
✓ 50g LighterDimensions (W × H × D)
Nikon D800146.0 × 123.0 × 81.5 mm
Canon EOS 5D Mark III152.0 × 116.4 × 76.4 mm
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